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Industry News
Irish recession set to deepen, ERSI claims
08.10.2008
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has reversed its forecasts and is predicting the country's recession will deepen in 2009, according to reports.
Ireland's leading economic think tank has put the blame of the country's financial troubles at the feet of the worsening housing market, the Press Association has claimed.
It was also reported that the ESRI is predicting a fall in government spending and a slump in commercial building during 2009, while unemployment is expected to continue to rise.
Falling property prices could result in homeowners looking to upgrade their existing properties by installing such measures as decking and PVC windows in an effort to boost their home's value.
According to research by Halifax, double glazing is perceived to be the home improvement second-most likely to improve a property's value, behind a new kitchen but ahead of adding a conservatory, an extension or central heating.
Almost two-thirds of those surveyed by the bank felt that double glazing is an essential feature of a home.
OFT introduces rules for door-to-door
01.10.2008
Consumers who buy double glazed windows from a door-to-door salesperson are set to benefit from new rules that come into force today.
The Doorstop Selling Regulations mean that anyone who buys products including double glazing and conservatories in such a way will be given a week to cancel the agreement.
It applies to all transactions over a value of £35 and marks a change to the previous law, which saw only those customers who requested a visit covered.
Welcoming the changes, consumer policy director of the Office of Fair Trading Colin Brown said the law is now "a lot clearer".
"People buying goods in their own home now have a safety net of seven days in which to change their mind - regardless of who arranged the visit," he added.
This week the Lynn News reported that Trading Standards officers in Norfolk had advised consumers not to buy good from unannounced callers, after a resident was frightened by a man offering to carry out work on windows.
Trading Standards warning over rogue traders
30.09.2008
Homeowners have been warned to be on their guard against rogue traders who offer to carry out work on their properties, such as replacing windows.
Trading Standards issued the advice following an incident in West Norfolk in which a man called at a resident's home to offer to work on their windows. According to Lynn News, the man's "pushy" approach left the resident frightened.
Should anybody call at a home offering to carry out work on windows or any other aspect of the property, the owner should ask for identification and should not admit them inside, Trading Standards officers advised.
Signs to watch out for in disreputable traders include a non-disclosure of names or contact details, requests for money upfront and a refusal to offer seven-day cancellation rights.
Trading Standards in Norfolk has been working in recent months to crackdown on rogue workmen.
"We have seen a marked increase this summer in the number of rogue traders successfully interrupted," Norfolk county council's head of trading standards Shaun Norris told the Norwich Evening News.
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